Harry Lee Jackson Jr.

Harry Lee Jackson Jr, 82, of Muskogee, Oklahoma entered into Heaven’s gates Sunday evening, May 4, 2014. He was born on December 30, 1931 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to Harry Lee Jackson Sr. and Edith Larue Jordan Jackson. Harry attended Crooked Oak High School in Oklahoma City graduating with the class of 1949 where he served as Class President. He furthered his education attending Connors State College where he was a starter on the football team and played on the basketball team. He graduated in the spring of 1951. While sports were very important to Harry, he was also interested in a pretty young lady, Dolores Colleen Wilson. They became best friends and were married on June 3, 1951, a union that celebrated over 62 years together. He then attended Central State University where he continued his football career and graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in education and a minor in English. Harry began his teaching career at Ringling High School where he coached football and basketball from 1953-1956 and then moved to Checotah High School where he would continue to coach football, basketball, and baseball. He led his Checotah Wildcats football team to an undefeated season in 1957. In 1959, Harry followed his love for teaching and coaching to Connors State College where he led the baseball team to its first national tournament in 1963. In 1965, Harry decided to give up his coaching career and concentrate on other obligations at Connors. He would be appointed Dean of Students in 1968, a position he held until 1978. He also served as athletic director during that time. In 1978, he was appointed Academic Dean. Harry retired as Vice President of Academic Affairs in 1988. Harry was involved in many civic activities in the Muskogee and Warner area. He and Colleen were long time members of Warner First Baptist Church. He was instrumental in helping establish Connors State College classes in Muskogee. He served as the first president of the Warner Quarterback Club, as well as two terms as the president of the Warner Chamber of Commerce and three terms as president of the Connors Alumni Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Edith Jackson; daughter, Deborah Ann Stout; and father and mother in law, Woodrow and Irene Wilson. Harry is survived by his wife, Dolores “Colleen” of the home; son, Mike Jackson and wife, Jan of Keefeton; son-in-law, Don Stout of Elm Grove; grandchildren, Melissa Hill and husband, Kevin of Muskogee, Jeremy Jackson and wife, Jennifer of Warner, Michael Jackson of Keefeton, Misty Jackson of Dallas, TX, and Eric Stout of Muskogee; great grandchildren, Alyssa Hill, Kandra Hill, Wyatt Gassaway, Levi Gassaway, all of Muskogee, Jace Jackson, Jordan Jackson, and Jake Jackson, all of Warner; brother, Jerry Jackson and wife, Nelda of OKC; sister-in-law, June Martin of Dewey; nieces and nephews, Nancy Lanford and husband, Darrell of New Mexico, Don Jackson and wife, Karen of Austin, TX, Steve Jackson and wife, Tina of Edmond, Keith Martin and wife, Natalia of Bend, OR, and Stacey Martin of Bartlesville; and a host of other family members and friends. Harry was loved by all who knew him and will be truly missed. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Harry Jackson Scholarship Fund, c/o Connors State College, 700 College Rd, Warner, OK, 74469. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N York St, Muskogee. Funeral services celebrating Harry’s life will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Warner First Baptist Church with Rev. Sam Dunn officiating. Interment will follow at Warner Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Jackson, Michael Jackson, Eric Stout, Kevin Hill, Wyatt Gassaway, Levi Gassaway, Jace Jackson, Jake Jackson, Don Jackson, Steve Jackson, Keith Martin, and Stacey Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Gardner, Gary Updyke, Clarence Lynch, Dale Whitby, Bill Martin, Leo Smithson, Richard Ralls, Pete Evans, Joe Gill, A.D. Stone, Ed Hardeman, and Gerald Anderson.

Harry Lee Jackson Jr.

December 30, 1931 - May 4, 2014